Method for waste collection and storage

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for collection of fecal matter designed to operate efficiently in a zero gravity environment. The system comprises a waste collection area within a body having a seat opening. Low pressure within the waste collection area directs fecal matter away from the user&#39;s buttocks and prevents the escape of undesirable gases. The user actuates a piston covered with an absorbent pad that sweeps through the waste collection area to collect fecal matter, scrub the waste collector area, press the waste against an end of the waste collection area and retracts, leaving the used pad. Multiple pads are provided on the piston to accommodate multiple uses of the system. Also a valve allows air to be drawn through the body, which valve will not be plugged with fecal matter. A sheet feeder feeds fresh sheets of absorbent pad to a face of the piston with each actuation.

ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein was made in the performance of work undera NASA contract and is subject to the provisions of Section 305 of theNational Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat.435; 42 U.S.C. 2457).

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/035,401, filed 4/7/89, nowU.S. Pat. No. 4,870,709.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a human fecal collection system withfeatures which allow it to be used in weightless conditions of spaceflight.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

In the closed and limited volume of current space craft, wastecollection, handling, and disposal, further complicated byweightlessness and absence of significant quantities of power and water,is a major health concern. It may also have an emotional impact on thecrew, and especially untrained passengers, forced to deal with humanwaste in a fashion contrary to culture and experience.

The first inflight solid waste collection system was an adhesive rimmedbag stuck on the subject's buttocks with a finger cot molded in forremoval of adherent material. Skylab used a seat with an individual,replaceable bag collector, integral filter, and flow through airentrapment system. Individual bags were then vacuum dried and stored forreturn to earth. Because of the size, complexity and power cost of theSkylab waste collection system, a more efficient system was designed forthe space shuttle. This system used a single large pot with acentrifugal macerator/slinger which would plaster the pot walls withsuccessive layers of fecal material, which were subsequently dried byvacuum. There are serious operational difficulties with this system. Thepersonal experience of a co-inventor (an astronaut) of the instantinvention during a ground simulation and two space flights with theshuttle waste collection system provided the impetus for the developmentof the present invention.

A number of patents disclose an array of waste collection devices, manyof which are designed for space flight. These patents disclose vacuumand air assist means, bagging means, and sweep means (in the form ofbare pistons). However, none of these suggest the concept of a wastecollection chamber having a piston acting therein with a replaceablefacing material thereon to clean the chamber, compact and separate thematerials with each cycling of the piston.

An example of a waster collection system can be found in U.S. Pat. No.4,281,655 (Trauchi, 1981) which discloses a vacuum suction type urinaldesigned to conform to body parts. Urine is automatically carried alongwith air sucked from a urine receiving unit and transmitted to a urinal.Air is supplied to the urine receiving unit through a plurality of smallholes. The urine so collected is disposed of by customary means.

An example of a zero gravity toilet with a buttocks-conforming seat isfound in U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,544 (Cella, 1967). The seat creates anairtight seal against the subject's buttocks. High pressure fluid isdirected through jet means to the subject's anus, thereby washing itclean following use. Positive pressure in the water collection systemcavity forces the water down a tube sending it into a low pressurecollection receiver. The fluid contains reagents which will form a resinplug in the depending tube. The plug, urged by air pressure, will beforced down the tube and clean the passage as it advances.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,409 (Bennett, 1966) discloses a space toilet whichincludes a vacuum suction means combined with air flow jets locatedaround the periphery of the seat. The vacuum means is used to draw theliquid and solid waste material into a gas permeable collection bag. Asecond bag encompassing the first is completely impermeable. The firstbag is manually sealed by the user within the second bag, and droppedinto a continuously heated dessication chamber which is sealed by apiston. The piston is not used to compress, but merely to seal thedessication chamber from the waste collection area, and prevent theescape of odor.

A flush toilet which utilizes positive control over a liquid flushingmedium is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,974 (Belasco et al., 1967). Acurrent of air supplied near the seal between the seat and the subject'sbuttocks, directs both feces and odor to the toilet bowl outlet. A waterjet is provided to cleanse the rectal area which is followed by a dryingjet of warm air. Water under pressure is used to wash the toilet bowl,and the liquids and feces removed through the bowl outlet conveyed to ablender. Urine and the feces/water mixture from the mechanical blenderare pumped to a vacuum distillation unit. Distilled water from thevacuum distillation unit is then available for future flushing. Acontinuous low pressure is maintained in the system, preventing theescape of odor into the cabin.

Despite the numerous inventions relating to waste collection andstorage, none has yet been developed that efficiently and simply solvethe problems ecnountered in space flight. No previous device has beendesigned that is compact, simple and efficient, and combines air flowmeans, piston means, replaceable facing pads, and a storage means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wastecollection system utilizing piston collection-compaction to receive andstore the products of defecation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air circulationsystem to aid the removal of feces from the rectal area of the subjectand for odor control.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filter system forremoval of liquids and particulate matter from within the wastecollection system.

A further object of the invention is to provide for supplying andreplacing the face of a piston with facing material which may beimpregnated with bacteriostatic or other agents.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for valves for sealingthe waste collection system during the collection-compaction cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide for mechanical linkageto actuate the piston and valving system in a coordinated manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method for thecollection, compaction and storage of human fecal matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following of illustrativeembodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of the present invention showing a portionof the inner workings thereof.

FIGS. 2A-2D are rear perspectives of the present invention showing thesweeping piston means thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective of the present invention showing the airflow therethrough.

FIGS. 5A-5E are elevated cross-sectional views of the main body of thepresent invention showing sweeping piston means and seat sealing means.

FIG. 5F is an exploded perspective of the occlusion valve of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the sheet feeding assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of the grabber bar portion of thesheet feeding assembly.

FIGS. 7A-7C are elevated cross-sections showing the trip mechanism ofthe sheet feeding assembly.

FIG. 8 is an elevated cross-section of the sheet feeding assembly.

FIGS. 9-11 are perspective of the waste storage module of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the seat of the present invention showing jetnozzles.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of the seat and jet nozzles of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Waste collection system 10 is best viewed for clarity and simplicity asa number of sub-systems interrelated structurally and functionally toprovide an efficient means of collection and storage of fecal matter 20.

The sub-systems described in detail in the accompanying figures and inthe paragraphs below consist of the following: a means for ventilationdesigned to prevent odor from emanating from waste collection system 10and for driving, by use of air currents, fecal matter 20, wipes andcleaning material of the user into waste collection area 14; a sweep andcompaction means, either manual or motor driven, that removes fecalmatter 20, wipes and cleaning material from waste collection area 14; awaste storage area 12 for retaining collected fecal matter 20, wipes,and cleaning material; a sheet replenishing means working in conjunctionwith the sweep means and waste storage area 12 and designed to keep thesweep means and waste collection area 14 free and unsoiled by fecalmatter 20; and a valve system designed to control removal of air frombody 11 during the operation of the sweep means.

FIG. 1 shows the main components and sub-systems of waste collectionsystem 10. Body 11 of waste collection system 10 may be of generallyrectangular dimensions but could operate with other geometries. Body 11encloses therein waste storage area 12, waste collection area 14, andpiston storage area 28. Body 11 rests on frame 19. Seat 22 is mounted onbody 11 over waste collection area 14 and is preferably constructed ofmolded, resilient material that will conform to the human buttocks. Seat22 encircles seat opening 18 which allows communication between user andwaste collection area 14. Thigh restraints 56 are required forweightless environments.

After a user has made deposits of feces, wipes and cleaning material inwaste collection area 14, he rotates crank 16 (see FIG. 3) whichactuates piston scissors 26. Piston scissors 26 are attached to piston36 and are designed to extend and retract piston 36 across wastecollection area 14. Functionally, scissors 26 are piston 36 actuators.Piston 36, urged by piston scissors 26, moves through waste collectionarea 14, collecting fecal matter 20, wipes and cleaning material aheadof sheet 39. This action continues until previously compacted fecesstored between soiled sheets 24 is encountered. At this point controlledpressure is applied causing fecal matter 20 to spread radially andbonding waste material between previous soiled sheets 24 and currentsheets 39. On retraction of piston 36, fecal matter 20 adheres to thepreviously compacted mass of soiled sheets 24 and sheet 39 facing piston36, removing sheet 39 form piston 36. Sheet 39 has an impervious layeradjacent piston 36 to prevent soiling by seepage. In this manner, fecalmatter 20 is swept from waste collection area 14, compacted and storedin waste storage area 12 under compression by force of piston 36 untilnext use. This results in minimal possible storage volume.

Prior to defecation, the user switches on ventilation fan switch 42,which starts blower motor 34 and creates a negative pressure within body11. Air, drawn in through body 11, thereby sweeps fecal matter 20 intowaste collection area 14. Air continues out of body 11 through occlusionvalve 44 (which is designed to prevent intake of solids from collectionarea 14. Hydrophobic micron filter 32 prevents any liquid from passingand removes all particles including bacteria from the air. Blower motor34 draws dry air from hydrophobic filter 32 and expels it into odorfilter 30, where disagreeable odors are removed therefrom. A number ofsubstances may be used as a filtering agent for odor filter 30, withactivated charcoal being a common substance. Dry, odorless, bacteria andparticle free air is then expelled into spacecraft through sides of odorfilter 30. Handle 74 assists in removal of odor filter 30.

The rotation of crank 16, which actuates piston 36 in the mannerdescribed above, also opens occlusion valve 44, allowing air to flowtherethrough. Occlusion valve 44 is actuated by cam 46, through rockerarm 48. In alternate embodiments, occlusion valve 44 may be actuated bya vacuum diaphragm. When blower motor 34 is on and piston 36 isretracted as illustrated in FIG. 1, occlusion valve 44 is open andallows air to exit therethrough. When waste collection system 10 is"flushed," piston 36 crosses seat opening 18 and occlusion valve 44closes. Continued extension of piston 36 past seat opening 18 will thencompress air (since at this point occlusion valve 44 and seat opening 18are sealed), thereby forcing air around narrow space between piston 36and body 11. Sheet 39 overlaying edges of piston 36 acts as a swab toclean interior of body 11 as it wraps around piston 36 and contacts body11.

The sheet feed mechanism 40 is designed to pull sheet 39 from sheet roll62 across piston 36 when piston scissors 26 place piston 36 in aretracted position as shown in FIG. 2A. While sheet roll 62 isillustrated, accordian folded sheets may also be used. As will befurther illustrated in the discussion of FIG. 7 below, sheet feedmechanism 40 will "grab" sheets from sheet roll 62, pull them up acrosspiston 36, then cut off sheet 39. In this manner, piston face 64 willhave a clean sheet 39, prior to commencement of each "flush" operation.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate in sequential steps the manner inwhich waste collection system 10 functions. FIG. 2A illustrates the"armed" position of waste collection system 10 just after defecation bythe user. FIG. 2B illustrates the "flush" operation. FIG. 2C shows the"stored" configuration (the position of piston 36 when waste collectionsystem 10 is not in use). FIG. 2D shows waste collection system 10 being"rearmed"0 just prior to defecation by user.

In FIG. 2A piston 36 is in a retracted or "armed" position. Piston face64 of piston 36 is covered with sheet 39. Piston 36 has been crankedinto the position shown in FIG. 2A just prior to use. That is, when useris defecating, piston 36 is "armed" as illustrated in FIG. 2A. In the"armed" position, sheet 39 is stretched across face 64 of piston 36, ina manner fully described in the paragraphs below accompanying FIG. 6.Following deposition of fecal material 20 in waste collection area 14,crank 16 or motor 50 is actuated by user and waste collection system 10is "flushed". As illustrated in FIG. 2B, this "flushing" moves piston 36across waste collection area 14 of body 11. FIG. 2B also illustrateswaste storage area 12 with several soiled sheets 24 from prior"flushings" compacted therein. FIG. 2C the waste collection system 10 inits "stored" position. That is, this is the position of piston 36 whenwaste collection system 10 is not in use. In this configuration,pressure is maintained on solid sheets 24 by piston 36. FIG. 2Dillustrates waste collection system 10 being returned to its "armed"position. Piston 36 is retracted by piston scissors 26 that are actuatedby manual crank 16 (see FIG. 3) or motor 50 (see FIG. 1). When wastecollection system 10 is returned to a configuration illustrated in FIG.2A, its use will have resulted in compacting of fecal material 20, wipesand cleaning material in waste storage area 12 between and on soiledsheets 24. In this cyclical fashion fecal matter 20, wipes and cleaningmaterial are swept out of water collection area 14 and stored in acompressed, compacted manner in waste storage area 12. Upon retractionof piston 36 as illustrated in FIG. 2D, note that soiled sheets 24 withfecal matter 20, wipes and cleaning material contained thereon andtherebetween remain in waste storage area 12. Piston 36 returns to itsarmed position by rotating crank 16 or reversing motor 50. Sheets 39 maybe impregnated with bacteriostatic agents to mitigate the bacterialaction in the fecal matter 20, and/or deodorizing agents.

FIG. 3 illustrates a different embodiment of waste collection system 10than is shown in FIG. 1. More particularly, in this embodiment the usersits "side saddle," unlike FIG. 1 wherein the user sits with the user'slegs straddling the waste collection system 10. The advantage of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is that user need not fully remove hispants. In addition, FIG. 3 reveals crank 16 for manual "flushing." FIG.3 shows ventilation fan switch 42, odor filter 30, and crank 16. Crank16 is located at the end of body 11 which contains piston 36 and pistonscissors 26. Waste storage area 12 is also illustrated. Occlusion valve44 is shown with pivotally attached rocker arm 48 engaged at one end tocam 46. Cam 46 is in turn driven by a gear box and axle shaftarrangement (not shown) at end of cam drive shaft 45. Rotation of crank16 rotates cam drive shaft 45 through crank chain 58. A gear box andaxle shaft (not shown) gear down the crank rotations appropriately soocclusion valve 44 closes at the appropriate time. This `timing` betweencrank 16 and occlusion valve 44 is described in more detail in theparagraphs below accompanying FIG. 5F.

FIG. 4 illustrates with arrows the air flow through waste collectionsystem 10 created by ventilation means. During defecation, fecal matter20, wipes and cleaning material are deposited in waste collection area14. Blower motor 34 is actuated by ventilation fan switch 42. Blowermotor 34, turned on prior defecation, creates a lower pressure withinbody 11 than without. As a result of this pressure differential, air isdrawn in through jets 68 or slots (not illustrated) at the base of seat22 and between any spaces between the buttocks of user and seat 22. Jets68 are designed to be adjustable. Nozzles 69 may be manually adjusted tocontrol not only the amount of air passing therethrough but also thedirection of the air. During use of waste collection system 10, most ofthe air is drawn in through jets 68 when there is a good seal betweenthe user and seat 22. However, all or some of the air coming throughjets 68 can come through slots (not illustrated) along seat 22perimeter. During defecation, the air so drawn in (see arrows) moves outof body 11 through occlusion valve 44 and into hydrophobic filter 32. Inthe preferred embodiment, there is an occlusion valve 44 on both sidesof body 11. Occlusion valve 44 is designed to prevent solid materialsuch as fecal matter 20 from passing therethrough by utilizing amultiplicity of small plate orifices 66. Air is drawn from occlusionvalve 44 through channel 71 into hydrophobic filter 32. Liquid and allparticles, including bacteria are removed from the air by hydrophobicfilter 32, leaving only dry air. This dry air is drawn through blowermotor 34 and directed into odor filter 30. Odor filter 30, made ofactivated charcoal or other suitable material, removes disagreeableodors from the air. Air is vented to cabin through sides of odor filter30.

FIG. 4 also illustrates vacuum tap 76, which is an air bleed lineconnected with the outside of the spacecraft (or some other source ofnegative pressure), thereby creating a slight negative pressure withinbody 11 even when blower motor 34 is not on. Such a slight negativepressure allows the continual, slight air flow into and through wastecollection system 10 and out vacuum tap 76. This removes gases anddisagreeable odors from waste collection system 10 when blower motor 34is not in operation.

FIG. 4 also illustrates motor 50 adapted to drive piston scissors 26 andpiston 36 across waste collection area 14. That is, instead of crank 16manually operating piston 36, motor 50 may be used. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4 shows a crank override socket 29 adapted toreceive crank 16.

The next series of illustrations, FIGS. 5A-5E, show the sweep/compactionmeans sub-system. More specifically, these show how piston 36 iscoordinated to operate with occlusion valve 44 and seat valve 86 andthereby sweep waste collection area 14 free of fecal matter 20, wipesand cleaning material.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of body 11 when "armed." To "arm,"user, just prior to defecation, must: (1) retract piston 36 from its"stored" position; (2) activate sheet feed mechanism 40 (explained inmore detail accompanying FIGS. 6 and 7 below); and (3) turn on blowermotor 34. (It is anticipated these three steps be automated andactivated by a single switch.) When "armed," piston scissors 26 are in aretracted position, with face 64 covered by fresh, clean sheet 39.Occlusion valve 44, with its numerous plate orifices 66, is open intowaste collection area 14, to allow the flow of air therethrough and thusout of body 11. This is the position of waste collection system 10 whenuser is defecating. Blower motor 34 is on and waste collection system 10"armed." FIG. 5A also shows the positional relationship between seatvalve 86, telescoping slide 82, seat valve seals 88, and pivot point 84.Telescoping slide 82 is spring-loaded to urge seat valve 86, which ispivotally attached to telescoping slide 82, outward against piston 36.

Along a portion of rim of seat valve 86 extends wedge-shaped catch 90.Catch 90 extends from seat valve 86 where seat valve 86 is closet topiston 36. More particularly, catch 90 presses outward against rear ofpiston 36 under pressure by spring-loaded telescoping slide 82. At thesame time, catch 90 is urged upward against lip 102 which is projectingrearward from perimeter of piston 36. This upward urging of seat valve86 is best accomplished by a by a 84. In summary, when piston 36 is inretracted position as illustrated in FIG. 5A, seat valve 86 is beingurged outward and upward against lip 102 and rear wall of piston 36.When piston 36 is extended as illustrated in FIG. 5B, spring-loadedtelescoping slide 82 and seat valve 86 move toward seat opening 18.Spring-loaded telescoping slide 82 guides seat valve 86 to seat opening18 by urging catch 90 against lip 102 on the rear of piston 36.

In FIG. 5B waste collection system 10 is being "flushed" to remove fecalmatter 20, wipes and cleaning material. This is done by either crank 16(manually operated) or motor 50 (illustrated in FIG. 4). In FIG. 5Bocclusion valve plate orifices 66 beginning to close as seat valve 86approaches seat opening 18. This closing will force out of plateorifices 66 any fecal matter 20 or other material stuck therein.

In FIG. 5C, the "flushing" continues as piston 36 has passed seatopening 18 and seat valve 86 has sealed against seat opening 18. Thatis, telescoping slide 82 has reached its furthest extension under urgingof an internal spring (not shown). As piston scissors 26 continue toextend, lip 102 draws away from catch 90. Because of the wedge-shapeddesign of catch 90, combined with upward urging against lip 102, seatvalve 86 will be guided into place, covering seat opening 18. Seat valveseals 88 on seat valve 86 are pressed against seat opening lip 80. Whenpassing this position of "seat sealing," occlusion valve plate orifices66 are shut by the insertion of tightly fitting occulsion valve stems158 therein, in a manner that will force the solid particles, if any,that are stuck in plate orifices 66 out into path of sweeping piston 36,thereby cleaning out occlusion valve 44. FIG. 5C further illustrates thematter in which piston 36 sweeps across waste collection area 14 whilecovered by a sheet 39 with ends of sheet 39 overlapping edge of pistonface 64. Sheet 39 thereby acts as a swab on the inside surface of body11 to clean it of any fecal matter 20 or other material. Sheet 39 has animpervious layer facing piston 36 for preventing soiling of piston 36.Facing waste collection area 14 are multiple layers of paper or otherabsorbent material. With occlusion valve stems 158 protruding justslightly past inside wall of body 11, any fecal matter 20 or othermaterial will be cleaned off by the passage of piston 36 as illustratedin FIG. 5B. In the storage position seat valve 86 seals seat opening 18in body 11.

FIG. 5D illustrates waste collection system 10 in a "stored"configuration. Fecal matter 20, wipes and cleaning material is spreadbetween sheet 39 under pressure exerted by piston 36. Seat valve 86 hassealed seat opening 18 to prevent the escape of odor and bateriatherefrom. Occlusion plate orifices 66 are closed. In this configurationthe cavity within body 11 is under slight negative pressure from vacuumtap 76 (not shown). This negative pressure will also prevent any gasbuild up from bacterial action in soil sheets 24. Such bacterial actionwill be minimized by using bacteriostatic agents in sheet roll 62. Catch90 holds seat valve 86 flush with exterior body 11, catch 90 acting as astop thereon.

FIG. 5E illustrates piston 36 being retracted ("rearmed") in preparationfor use of waste collection system 10 by user. As piston 36 retractsmetal, rubber or other flexible material is utilized as a flap valvemechanism (not shown) on the rear of piston face 64 to open and relievenegative pressure created when piston 36 is retracted. That is, withoutthis pressure relief flap (not shown), piston 36, when drawn fromposition as illustrated in FIG. 5D to position as illustrated in FIG.5E, will pull soiled sheets 24 back under the negative pressure createdby piston 36 withdrawal. When piston 36 is retracted to a position pastsheet feed mechanism 40, the user is ready to replenish piston face 64with new sheet 39 and waste collection system 10 will be ready to useagain. In this manner waste collection system 10 repeats cycles ofcollection and compression, thereby storing fecal matter 20, wipes andcleaning material deposited in waste collection area 14.

An alternate embodiment for closing seat opening 18 with seat valve 86utilizes telescoping slides 82 that are not spring loaded. Instead,catch 90 consists of two flexible prongs in the shape of a "V" whenviewed from above seat valve 86. Those two prongs are connected at theirapex on the underside of seat valve 86 in the same location as catch 90as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E. However, in this alternate embodiment, apost extends vertically downward from lip 102. The two prongs are shapedto "pop" over the post, and are held thereby to piston 36 while piston36 is extended. When telescoping slides 82 reach their outer limit,continued extension by piston 36 "pops" post from between prongs ofcatch 90. Seat valve 86 then slides upward into place in the mannerdescribed in the preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 5D and 5E also illustrate the means by which piston face 39maintains constant pressure on soiled sheets 24 when system 10 is"stored." Continuous compression means 200 consists of helical spring202 wound around the outside of spring guide 204. When piston scissors26 are extending, spring block 206 compresses helical spring 202 toforce piston 36 outward. When soiled sheets 24 are contacted by piston36, helical spring 202 compresses, and extension of piston 36 ceases.Limit switch 208 will shut off motorized operation when helical spring202 is compressed, and piston scissors 26 are extended. Helical spring202, being compressed, keeps pressure on piston scissors 26 and piston36 thereby. In this manner, constant compression means 200 keepspressure on soilded sheets 24 when piston 36 is in stored position.

FIG. 5F is an exploded view of occlusion valve 44. Occlusion valve frame150 is generally rectangular with the inner perimeter notched to conformto the dimensions of valve guide plate 156. Valve guide plate 156contains numerous valve guide openings 157 therethrough, of sufficientdimensions to guide the passage of generally cylindrical occlusion valvestems 158. That is, valve guide plate 156 is a solid, generallytabular-shaped plate shaped to fit within a notch on the insideperimeter of occlusion valve frame 150. A plurality of cylindrical valveguide 157 perforate valve guide 156. Valve guide openings 157 are ofsufficient dimension to allow valve stems 158 to slidably passtherethrough. One end of valve stems 158 is sized to fit tightly withinocclusion valve plate orifices 66 (as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C above). Asecond end of valve stems 158 is received through valve stem retainerplate 160 with circular valve stem retainer clips 162 bracketing valvestem retainer plate 160 so as to hold end of valve stem 158 to valvestem retainer plate 160. Actuator plate 154 overlays valve stem retainerplate 160, with actuator plate guides 155 depending downward overactuator stem retainer plate 160 and into a notch in occlusion valveframe 150. Adjustor screws 178 in actuator plate 154 can be adjusted tocontrol height of actuator plate 154 above valve stem retainer plate160. Actuator plate 154 has a reciprocation rod channel 174 thereon, andat least two actuator palte rollers 180 centered on longitudinal axis ofreciprocation rod channel 174. Actuator plate rollers 180 do not contactvalve stem retainer plate 160 when actuator plate 154 lays thereon.Rather, adjustor screws 178 are the points of contact between actuatorplate 115 and valve stem retainer plate 160. Rotation of adjuster screws178 raises and lowers actuator plate 154. When actuator plate 154 israised with respect to valve stem retainer plate 160, operation ofreciprocation rod 164 urges valve stems 158 further into occlusion plateorifices 66. Reversing adjuster screws 178 brings actuator plate 154closer to valve stem retainer plate 160. Operation of reciprocation rod164 thereafter will urge valve stems 158 into and out of occlusion plateorifices 66.

Cover 152 contains a cavity of sufficient dimensions to cover actuatorplate and valve stems 158 when cover 152 is affixed to valve frame 150.Within valve cover 152 and along the longitudinal axis thereof liesreciprocation rod 164 riding on reciprocation rod bearing surface 165.That is, reciprocation rod bearing surface 165 is the surface of a holethrough cover 152 along which reciprocation rod 164 slides duringoperation of occlusion valve 44. Reciprocation rod 164 is affixed torocker arm-reciprocation rod link 166 at a first end. Movement of rockerarm 48 causes a back and forth movement of reciprocation rod 164 ridingon reciprocation rod bearing surface 165. Reciprocation rod 164 isshaped generally as illustrated in FIG. 5F with a curved portion 167 anda roller stop portion 169.

To operate occlusion valve 44, cam 46 is rotated through cam drive (notshown) which coupled to conventional gears at end of cam drive shaft 45(shown in FIG. 3). Rotation of crank 16 is thereby translated torotation of cam 46. When cam 46 begins to rotate, rocker arm 48 movesaccordingly. Cam roller 171 is attached to one end of rocker arm 48, andrides along channel of cam guide 170. As cam 46 rotates, movement ofrocker arm 48 about rocker arm pivot pin 168 is translated toreciprocation rod 164 through rocker arm-reciprocation rod link 166. Inthis manner rocker arm 48, pivoting about rocker arm pivot pin 168,translates motion at the end of rocker arm 48 riding in cam guide 170 tomotion at the opposite end of rocker arm 48 which contains rockerarm-reciprocation rod link 166. Thus, reciprocation rod 164 moves backand fourth in response to urging by cam 46.

During operation of occlusion valve 44, curved portion 167 ofreciprocation rod 164 overrides actuator plate rollers 180, and forcesacatuator plate 154 against valve stem retainer plate 160, which in turnurges tightly fitting valve stems 158 to protrude into occlusion valveplate orifices 66 (as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C). Occlusion valve 44 istimed to close and clean out occlusion valve plate orifices 66 withvalve stems 158 in the manner described with FIGS. 5A-E above. It shouldbe noted that cam 46 rotation must be geared down between rotaion ofcrank 16 and rotation of cam 46. This can be done in a conventionalmanner utilizing worm gears (not shown) with the appropriate gear ratiosallowing multiple rotations of crank 16 to translate into a singlerotation of cam 46.

FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, 7B, and 7C all illustrate the manner in which the sheetfeed mechanism 40 is constructed and operates to replenish piston face64 with sheet 39 from sheet roll 62. Basically, the replenishing is afive-step process. First, jaws 97 and 99 of grabber bar 98 grip paper atfingers 112' of gripper bar 112. Second, grabber bar 98, holding sheet39, moves upward (see FIG. 6) across face 64 of piston 36. Third, asgrabber bar 98 clears piston 36, trip mechanism 118 (see FIG. 7)releases retractable jaw 97 from stationary jar 99 and frees sheet 39held therebetween. Fourth, blade 113 cuts sheet 39 from sheet roll 62.The piston sheet now has a fresh sheet 39 covering face 64 of piston 36and is ready for a "flushing" cycle. The final step occurs after"flushing" and "rearming" when grabber 98 with jaws 97 and 99 open movesdown across face 64 of piston 36. Tripper mechanism 118 is activated byadjustable trip 124 and spring 101 slams jaw 97 shut on sheet roll 63held between fingers 112' of gripper bar 112. The sheet replenishingcycle is then again ready to begin. A more detailed explanation of theprocess is set out in the following paragraphs and FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, 7B,7C, and 8.

Sheet feed mechanism 40 is designed to grab material from sheet roll 62by means of grabber bar 98, which consists of retractable jaw 97 andstationary jaw 99. Sheet 39 is thus held tightly between jaws 97 and 99of grabber bar 98. Subsequently, grabber bar 98 is drawn upward acrosspiston face 64 by means of sheet feed chain 104 on which grabber barsupport member 136 and grabber bar 98 is mounted. Grabber bar 98 isguided by feed gap 144 and sheet feed chain 104 as it is carried upwardto a position just clearing inside wall of body 11. As grabber barsupport member 136 approaches roller 116, elbow 121 of trip mechanism118 contacts roller 116 and is depressed, thereby opening retractablejaw 97. Sheet feed motor 108 drives sheet feed chain 104 through driveshaft 103 and sprockets (not shown).

The final step in replenshing sheet 39 is for the user to actuate cutterblade 113. Cutter blade 113 rides on blade support member 117, which isattached to cutter blade chain 114. Cutter blade chain 114 is driven bycutter blade motor 119. When not in use cutter blade 113 is storedoutside and away from gripper bars 112. Gripper bar 112 is constructedof blades 111 and 115 close enough together to allow sheet roll 62 toslide freely through, yet at the same time exerting enough pressure sothat during and subsequent to the cutting process, sheet roll 62 remainsfirmly between blades 111, 115. During cutting operation, cutter blade113 moves across sheet roll 62 just above gripper bar 112. Cutter blade113 is generally circular with a sharpened perimeter and rotates aboutcutter blade articulation pin 123 during cutting operation. Sheet roll62 is pressed between anvil 91 and cutter blade 113 and is thereby cutthrough. Cutter blade 113, guided by chain guide 141, will pass acrossand back in one cutting cycle where appropriate electrical switchingwill cause cutter blade chain 114 to reverse its direction when cutterblade 113 has moved across sheet roll 62. In this manner cutter blade113 moves across and back, severing sheet roll 62 and providing a freshsheet 39 for piston 36 (not shown).

An alternate embodiment of a structure by which sheet 39 can be severedfrom sheet roll 62 comprises a fixed, sharp, cutting bar against which acutter roller (in place of cutter blade 113) presses sheet 39. That is,a "rolling anvil" is utilized to sever the paper by pressure against asharp, fixed blade surface.

FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, and 7C more fully illustrate the manner is whichgrabber bar 98 and trip mechanism 118 are constructed and operate.Compressible pads 110 are mated to the inside faces of both retractablejaw 97 and stationary jaw 99 in a manner such that, when jaws 97, 99 aretogether, each compressible pad 110 contacts a mate on the other jaw.Compressible pads 110 are spaced such that when grabber bar 98 isreplenishing sheet 39, compressible pads 110 fit into gaps betweenfingers 112' of gripper bar 112. Between the gripper bar fingers 112'are held sheet roll 62. At grabber bar 98 with jaws 97, 99 open ismoving downward across retracted piston 36 in order to replace sheet 39,jaws 97, 99 are open. This position is shown in FIG. 7C. As jaws 97, 99approach adjustable trip 122, adjustable trip 122 slides through tripslot 124 and forces trip mechanism 118 to pivot at elbow pivot point 119as illustrated in FIG. 7A. Spring 101 urges jaw guide 120 andretractable jaw 97 to slam shut to a closed position against stationaryjaw 99. When retractable jaw 97 slams shut on stationary jaw 99, havingbeen tripped by adjustable trip 122, grabber bar 98 is positioned overgripper bar fingers 112'. That is, when retractable jaw 97 slams shut,compressible pads 110 will grab sheet roll 62 that is being held betweenfingers 112' of gripper bar 112. When this step is completed, userreverses paper feed motor 108 to move grabber bar 98 up across face 64of piston 36, grabber bar 98 now containing sheet 39 firmly between jaws97 and 99. As grabber bar 98 approaches its upper limit, roler 116contacts trip mechanism 118 at elbow 121 and urges jaw guide 120 outwardand thereby opens retractable jaw 97 and releases sheet 39. Paper feedmotor 108 is automatically switched off by a limit switch (not shown).FIG. 7C shows trip mechanism 118 it locks jaws 97 and 99 in an openposition and thereby releases sheet 39. Spring 101 is compressed betweenpin 128 and guide bearing 145.

FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B illustrate how jaw guide 120 is guided along guidechannel 140, riding on bearing surfaces 145, 147. That is, an grabberbar 98 is tripped from an open position as illustrated in FIG. 7C to aclosed position as illustrated in FIG. 7A, jaw guide 120 rides alongbearing surfaces 145 and 147. Helical spring 101 urges and maintainsretractable jaw 97 in a shut position until opened by roller 116.Grabber bar support member 136 is permanently attached to rear ofstationary jaw 98 as illustrated in FIG. 7; facing 138 is adapted toattach with bolts 142 to grabber bar support member 136 so as to allowaccess to spring 101, trip mechanism 118, and jaw guide 120. Pins 146,126, and 128 act to hold trip mechanism 118 together. That is, pin 146holds pivoting member of trip mechanism 118 securely in place. Pin 126holds jaw guide 120 to movable end of trip mechanism 118. Pin 128 in jawguide 120 acts as a stop against helical spring 101.

FIG. 8 further illustrates the manner in which the sheet feed mechanism40 operates to replenish piston face 64 of piston 36 with fresh papersheet 39. In FIG. 8 grabber bar 98 is shown as it approaches itsuppermost limit with elbow 121 (see FIG. 7) of trip mechanism 118contacting roller 116. At this point retractable jaw 97 of grabber bar98 begins to disengage stationary jaw 99 and release paper sheet 39.Feed gap 144 acts as a track for grabber bar 98 and is of sufficientdimension for grabber bar 98 to pass therethrough when jaws 97 and 99are open. Cutting blade 113 is positioned to begin cutting cycle. InFIG. 8 it is seen how cutting blade chain 114 guides cutting blade 113across sheet roll 62. Following cutting, grabber bar 98, with jaws 97and 99 open, will retract down to straddle gripper bar 112, and slamshut in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs. Thus, it canbe seen from FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, 7B, 7C and 8 how the sheet feed mechanism40 of waste collection system 10 replenishes paper sheet 39 on pistonface 64 of piston 36 just prior to the commencement of each "flushing"cycle.

FIG. 9, 10, and 11 illustrate the preferred embodiment with the wastestorage area 12 removable from rest of body 11. The inside of wastecollection area 12 is lined with a flexible bag insert 190 (much like agarbage can liner) as illustrated in FIG. 9 or rigid container 194shaped to conform to the interior dimensions of waste collection area 12as illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 10 shows waste collection area 12without any type of removable insert. In FIGS. 9 and 11 the removableinserts 190 or 194 allow the occupants of the space craft toperiodically remove accumulated soiled sheets 24 (not shown) from wastecollection area 12. Bag insert 190 can be tied by tie 196 upon removalto prevent odor from escaping. User would then re-line interior of wastecollection area 12 with fresh insert bag 190. Rigid container insert 194may be sealed with an appropriate lid, in a manner much like Tupperwarecontainers are used to store leftovers. Latch mechanism 196 is designedto pull flange 192 close against body 11. Gasket 198 on flange 192 madeof an appropriate flexible material such as rubber, would insure a goodseal against body 11.

FIG. 12 and 13 illustrate jets 68 with nozzle 69 along perimeter of seat22. Jets 68 may be adjusted to change direction of air flow therefrom.Nozzle 69 may be rotated and thus control the amount of air flowingtherethrough, in the same fashion as the nozzle of a garden hose may berotated to adjust the flow of water therethrough. Not illustrated is anair pump which may be adapted and connected to jets 68 so that user maymanually switch air pumps on to increase the flow of air through jets 68beyond the flow created by the low pressure within body 11. That is,there is an overdrive that will send compressed air through jets 68 bymanual operation of an air pump. The purpose for this is to allow moreefficient separation of the bolus from the rectal area of the user.

It is understood that other structures may be suggested by the claims.The purpose of the above description is to illustrate the preferredclaim and is not intended as a limitation upon the claims. While aparticular embodiment of a waste collection system 10 for zero gravityenvironments has been illustrated and described, it wil be obvious thatchanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritof the invention or the disclosure hereinabove and the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for collection of fecal material from a human bodycomprising the following steps:first moving a piston means for sweepingand compaction of fecal material within a contained body structure froma storage position to a use position to receive said fecal materialuncovering a seat opening for receiving said fecal materialtherethrough, said first moving step actuating said uncovering step assaid piston means is drawn to said use position; drawing air throughsaid seat opening to direct said fecal material through said seatopening into said contained body structure; filtering said air aftersaid air leaves said body structure through valves in said bodystructure; covering a face of said piston means with a sheet ofabsorbent material; second moving of said piston means from said useposition to said storage position after depositing said fecal materialthrough said seat opening into said contained body structure, saidsecond moving of said piston means (1) sweeping said fecal material fromsaid contained body structure to a storage end thereof; (2) coveringsaid seat opening and closing said valves and (3) compressing said fecalmaterial in said storage end; and repeating said prior steps forsubsequent uses wherein said sheet and said fecal material are leftcompressed at said storage end during each subsequent said first movingstep.
 2. The method described in claim 1 above wherein said filteringstep comprises a first filtering for the removal of liquid materialdispersed in said air and a second filtering for removal of solidmaterial dispersed in said air.
 3. The method described in claim 2 abovefurther comprising the step of exhausting from a filter means said airafter said filtering step.
 4. The method described in claim 1 abovewherein said covering step occurs with said piston means in said useposition and includes engaging said sheet at a sheet source, drawingsaid sheet across said face, releasing said sheet, and cutting saidsheet free of said sheet source.
 5. The method described in claim 1above further comprising the step of tapping said air from without saidbody structure therethrough while said piston means is in said storageposition.
 6. The method described in claim 1 above wherein saiduncovering step further includes opening said valves.
 7. The methoddescribed in claim 1 wherein said second moving step includes swabbinginterior of said contained body structure with said absorbent material.8. The method described in claim 1 further comprising the step ofremoval of compressed fecal matter from said storage end for subsequentdisposal thereof.